Wordless Wednesday: California Dreaming

Magazine Monday: an extremely irritating quote

I adore O, the Oprah magazine. I particularly love that books and reading are so highly valued in the publication. Several pages of each issue are devoted to book reviews, and there is also a monthly feature wherein a famous person shares what books have made a difference in his/her life. I seem to add at least one - and often, several - books to my To Read list after finishing an issue of O.

The January 2012 issue reviewed one book I will NOT be reading, because of my intense irritation towards the novel's main character. The book is Leigh Stein's The Fallback Plan. The plan spoken of in the title is to develop a chronic illness. Yes, you read that correctly - developing a chronic illness is the goal.  Main character Esther (an onviously entitled, unemployed college grad) states, "of all the plans I could have made for how to spend the rest of my life, this seemed the most desirable because it required the least of me."

That's how we all feel, right? Such luck to be chronically ill! It requires so very little of us, right? And it sure is such a great excuse to not have to live a real, hard, scary, grown-up life, right? Bite me, Esther.

Thankful Thursday: a very dear friend

I am so very thankful for my wonderful friend Heather. I just spent 12 incredible days in California visiting Heather and her husband, and we had an absolutely fantastic time together. We did all kinds of exciting and fun things - from ziplining, whale watching, and kayaking in the ocean to trying to hit fastballs at the batting cages and going to Beauty and the Beast (aka best Disney movie ever) in 3D. There was lovely weather, a gorgeous view in every direction, and nothing to remind me of the dreary drudge of winter and the stresses of daily life. Beyond all that awesomeness, though, the best part of the trip was - without question - simply hanging out and talking with my BFF. We see each other at least once a year and talk on the phone somewhat regularly, but it's been years since we've had the proper kind of time to just be together. To have deep, searching conversations about things that matter to us. To laugh and to cry. To get to know each other even better.

Heather and I preparing for the 1500 foot zipline adventure!

To stay MS-relevant, one thing that means the world to me about Heather is how supportive and deeply compassionate she has been as I travel on this less-than-wonderful MS journey. She is a safe place I can let my fears and sorrows and worries out and she is a constant source of strength and encouragement. I'm so grateful for your friendship, Heather!

Wordless Wednesday: California Sunset!

what a wonderful vacation!!!!!!!